What you need to know about sciatica symptoms

Nov. 14, 2013 11:50 AM

Sciatica is typically described as a sharp pain, numbness, or tingling shooting from the lower back to the buttock region and/or to the back of thigh and calf. It occurs when the sciatic nerve is irritated or impinged upon. This sciatic nerve is formed by nerve roots coming out of the spinal cord into the lower back which then travels through the buttock and branches down the back of the leg to the ankle and foot.

What are some of the common causes of sciatica?

The most common causes of sciatica is a disk herniation or bulging or rupture of the spinal disks which causes an impingement or pressing on the nerve roots which form the sciatic nerve. Other causes may include spinal stenosis or narrowing of the spinal canal, arthritis causing bone growths or spurs along the joint, or trauma and injury. In rare cases conditions not related to the spine may cause similar symptoms such as pregnancy.

Are certain people at higher risk of getting sciatica?

Middle aged adults due to the fact that degeneration of the intervertebral disks typically begin occurring in the 30's, sedentary people who do extended periods of sitting therefore putting pressure on the nerve, walkers and runners who have repeated contraction of their piriformis muscle, those who frequently lift heavy objects, those who are obese, pregnant women, and diabetics.

About how prevalent is sciatica?

Studies show the prevalence of sciatica ranges from 1.2 to 43 percent. This is most likely due to differences in definitions, methods of data collection, and differences in populations.

What are the main symptoms of sciatica?

Symptoms usually present as pain, weakness, tingling, and/or numbness that will start in the back or buttock region and move down the leg and possibly into the foot. Certain movements such as sitting or standing for a long period of time can make symptoms worse while walking or lying down may relieve the symptoms.

How is sciatica treated?

Treatment is geared toward the cause of the sciatica. Typically sciatica is treated with conservative management which would include medications such as Tylenol or an anti-inflammatory like Ibuprofen. Various exercises may also be recommended to help relieve the symptoms along with use of heating pads for alternating periods of time to the area of pain. Avoidance of the movements which trigger the pain, such as sitting for long periods, can also alleviate the symptoms. If the sciatica continues formal physical therapy may be prescribed, as well as stronger medications such as steroids, muscle relaxants, and opiates. Surgery may be an option in more severe cases that do not respond to the above treatments.

(Page 2 of 2)

What tends to happen if sciatica is left untreated?

Oftentimes sciatica will resolve on its own and patients will have a full recovery, however, the extent of the symptoms could lead to partial or complete loss of strength and sensation to the leg.

Are there other conditions people may confuse with sciatica?

Sciatica is truly more of a symptom of the pain that occurs when there is pressure on the sciatic nerve rather than just a diagnosis therefore most of the causes of sciatica themselves can really be the condition they are suffering from. These conditions could include arthritis which causes referred leg pain, a condition called piriformis syndrome, strain of the back muscles, a tumor on the spine, ankylosing spondylitis, or infection.

What type of physician should one see for sciatica?

Someone who suspects they may have sciatica should first see their primary care physician to confirm the diagnosis. After that time, their physician may recommend they see other specialists, such as a physical therapist. Other physicians they may be referred to could include a neurologist, a physiatrist who could perform epidural steroid injections, or in severe cases a neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon who performs spinal surgery.

Dr. Helen Gray is a primary care physician at Saint Mary's Medical Group. Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center is a 380-bed acute care and general medical/surgical hospital located in Reno, Nev. with a complete range of services, including women's and children's services, home care, hospice and palliative care, a nationally accredited center for cancer, a full-service Cardiology program, a multi-specialty Medical Group and state-of-the-art fitness center. Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center was named the state's first nationally accredited breast center of excellence and is the only hospital offering CyberKnife, a non-invasive radiation delivery system, in Northern Nevada.